SPECIAL NOTE FROM EDITOR (Tedd, KB8NW)
My family (wife/OPDX's chief
proof-reader Linda, son Teddy [TJ] and his wife Jessi, daughter Katie and
her husband Kevin), and I (KB8NW) would like to wish all DXers, Contesters
and OPDX readers a very "Happy New Year". Thanks to the many individuals
who have provided DX information over the past year. Without them there
would not be an OPDX Bulletin. Also, thanks to the individuals who sent
holiday wishes to my family and me.....
73 and Have a Great/Safe/Healthy New Year de Tedd KB8NW

* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations or
more likely a "BUSTED CALLSIGN". As always, you never know - "Work
First Worry Later" (WFWL).

4A, MEXICO (Update/Special Event)
Members of the DXXE (Mexican Contest
and DX group) are now active celebrating their 4th anniversary by using
the special callsign 4A1DXXE until January 6th. Activity will be on
160-6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. They were also heard on the AO51
satellite this past weekend. QSL via N7RO and the LoTW. QSOs with this
station are good for the DXXE Award. For more information, visit the
DXXE Web page at:

4M, VENEZUELA
Operators from the 4M5DX Group (Franco/YV1FM, Jose/YV5TX,
Alex/YV5SSB and Jesus/YV5MSG) will be active as 4M5DX during the CQWW WPX
RTTY Contest (February 14-15th) as a Multi-Single/High-Power entry. QSL
via IT9DAA.

A35, TONGA (6m History)
Paul, A35RK, has been active on 6 meters this
past week and has made some 6 meter history. He made a PSK31 QSO (at
0127z) and RTTY QSO (at 0129z) on 6 meters with Colin, VK4CC, on December
26th. This is the first time it has ever been done between VK and A3!

ASIAN TRIP (Update)
You have only a few more dates to work Frank, I2DMI,
as A52RY from Thimphu, because he will go QRT on December 31st. Frank
has been active on 80/40/30/20/17 meters mainly RTTY. His next stop
will be Kathmandu, Nepal. He still does not know his callsign for Nepal,
but he will get a 9N7 (RY? or DMI?) after his arrival. QSOs will be put
on LoTW and e-QSL the second week of January. Bureau cards will go out
the fourth week of March. You can QSL direct to I2DMI: P.O. Box 55,
22063 CANTU, Italy. Include a self addressed envelope (SAE) and sufficient
return postage. Please QSL only to his P.O. Box # 55 - 22063 Cantu (not
his home address).

CO8, CUBA
Eduardo, CO8LY, states that if somebody needs a confirmed QSL
from Cuba, he is active on 160 meters or PKS31, RTTY, CW and SSB on any
bands. You can make a sked with him via E-mail at:

CV5, URUGUAY (Update/IOTA Op)
Operators Lupo/CX2ABC, Julian/CX5BE,
Pedro/CX5BW, Nelson/CX6ACY, Jorge/CX6DAP, Gustavo/CX7AT and Daniel/CX9AU
will be active as CV5A from Isla de Flores (SA-030), January 22-26th.
Activity will be on 160-2 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. They
will also be in the CQ 160-Meter CW Contest (January 24-25th) as a
Multi-Op entry. QSL via CX2ABC.

E4, PALESTINE (Update/Reminder)
Just a reminder that an Italian group
is expected to be active as E44M this week between January 1-11th. Activity
will be on 160-2 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and all the digital modes
with a maximum power of 1KW. They will have 3 stations on the air active
with beams, verticals and wire antennas. They state, "Even if early
January is not a a good period for VHF, they will monitor 6 and 2 meters
and try any contact." The updated team list includes the following 6
members: Salvador/C31CT, Simone/IZ0BTV, Bello/IZ0EGM, Giorgio/IZ4AKS,
Pasquale/IZ8IYX, Vini/IK2CIO and Leszek/SP3DOI. Operations will be focused
on RTTY and the other digital modes as well as the low bands and 30/17/12
meters. They plan to pay special attention to stations outside Europe when
the propagation will allow it A Web page is now active at:

E51, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS (6m/2m EME)
Operators Lance/W7GJ and Bob/ZL1RS
will be in Rarotonga (from grid BG08dr) at the end of March (possibly
between March 26th and April 4th) to activate E51 on EME on 6 meters
(Lance) and 2 meters (Bob). Lance's callsign will be E51SIX and the 6m
operation will take place on 50.190 MHz. Details of Bob's callsign and
activity were not provided. Lance wanted to announce this DXpedition as
far in advance as possible in order to provide adequate time for people
to gear up for it. More station details will be announced as it gets
closer to the operation. For more details, visit the following Web page
at:

FT5W, CROZET ISLAND (Update)
Not much news to report here. Reports
indicate that Florentin, F4DYW/FT5WO, has been very busy, but he has
set up a temporary station because he is going to change his room soon.
He would like to use the base HF station with an amp connected to a
rombic antenna, but he is waiting for official permission. Some French
stations have reported that Florentin was on Saturday, but very weak on
14127 kHz around 1720z. Remember, he will stay there until the end of
November 2009, and will return back home in early 2010. QSL via F4DYW,
direct or by the bureau after he returns back home. Look for updates
on:

LAST MINUTE UPDATE: Just before going to print, Mehdi, F5PFP, announced
that he received an E-mail from Florentin stating to look for him around
+/- 1700z, on 14120 kHz (for French speaking stations) or +/- 14262 kHz
(for other stations) as a regular operating time and usual frequencies.

HK, COLOMBIA
Cody, KC2LSD, will be active as HK3/KC2LSD between January
9-15th. Activity will be mostly at 2300z on 40/30/20 meters, with some
daytime operations as well. Cody, states, "I'll usually get spotted on
the cluster but this time I will post myself on the

HS, THAILAND
Kurt, HS0ZBS, from Phanom Sarakham, East Thailand, is
active daily until January 10th, using the OLIVIA Mode. He starts at
1100z, on 14106.5 or 14107.5 kHz, calling CQ for 10 minutes.

IOTA NEWSEU-096. You still have a few more days to work Jouni/OH4KZM and Jukka/
OH4MFA as OH4JT/1 from Kustavi Island. They are expected to
go QRT on December 30th. Activity will be on 160-10 meters,
mainly CW. QSL via OH4MFA, direct or by the Bureau. For more
information:

NA-069. Peter, VE3IKV, will be active as W4/VA3RA from Sanibel Island
(USI FL-021S, WLOTA LH-2044, Lee County, Florida), December 29th
through January 3rd (2009). Activity will primarily be CW on
40 and 20 meters. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the
Bureau.

JD1, OGASAWARA ISLANDS
Just a reminder that operators Hiroyuki/JG7PSJ
and Makoto/JI5RPT will be active as JD1BMH and JD1BLY, respectively,
from Chichijima Island (AS-031) between December 28th and January 2nd.
Activity will be on 160-6 meters, with an emphasis on the low bands,
using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. Also on the satellites too. QSL
via their home callsigns. Visit the operator's Web pages at:

MD4, ISLE OF MAN
Operators David/G3NKC, Martin/G4XUM and Bob/MD0CCE
will be active as MD4K during the CQ 160-Meter CW Contest (January
23-25th) as a Multi-Op entry. QSL via G3NKC. QSL goes to G3NKC. If direct,
please remember that 1 USD is not sufficient for return postage outside
of EU.

NETHERLANDS ANTILLES CONTINUED
Hans Timmerman, PB2T, President of the
European DX Foundation (EUDXF), announced on the EUDXF Web page Tuesday,
December 16th (edited):

"According to Dutch Prime Minister Balkenende,
important agreements to secure the future of the people on the Netherlands
Antilles were made. During (another) Round Table Conference held on 15th
December 2008 an agreement was signed on the future of the Netherlands
Antilles. In 2009 more work has to be done on the execution of the agree-
ments made. Depending on progress a date, will be set for the implementa-
tion of the new structure. There is hope that all will be finalized in
2010. In 2005 it was agreed that Curacao (PJ2) and Sint Maarten (PJ7) will
become autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands and that
the islands Bonaire (PJ4), Sint Eustatius (PJ5) and Saba (PJ6) will become
Dutch municipalities. DXCC wise, these changes could result in deletion
of two entities (PJ2 and PJ7) and four new entities: Curacao (with status
aparte), Sint Maarten (with status aparte), Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and
Saba."

NOW WAIT A SECOND! Those who like to be on time will have to wait a
second for on New Year's Eve before ringing in the New Year on Wednesday.
Read all about it at:

OK, CZECH REPUBLIC (WAS Help Needed)
Martin, OK1WCF, informs OPDX that
he is trying to get his WAS award via LoTW, but still needs the following
LoTW stations from these states: HAWAII, MONTANA, NORTH DAKOTA and UTAH.
So, if you are in any of these states, please contact Martin via E-mail
for a sked at

He states that he is active on 40-10
meters using SSB, RTTY and other DIGI modes.

PJ2, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
Jan, PA4JJ, will be active as PJ2/PA4JJ from
Curacao (SA-006, WLOTA LH-0942) between April 1-11th. This will be a
holiday style operation. Jan informs OPDX that he will try to be active
on as many bands as he can, except 160m. He will be on all modes but
mostly digital. His equipment is a FT-897 and a a ZS6BKW antenna (which
he states can be tuned on 6m, and he will be using WSJT (JT6M) on 6m).
QSL direct to his home callsign.

QSL INFO AND NEWSNOT THE QSL MANAGER. Joe, W3HNK, states that he is NOT the QSL Manager
for CO6LC or any of his operations. He does not even know him.

"Now is your chance to meet and greet other RTTY operators from all over
the world.
-- No hours, No rules, No score, No pressure, No quota, No log needed. --
- Any band*, Any contact, Any time, Any power, Any equipment, Any antenna.-
(*) = Authorized amateur radio sub-bands, of course.
Get that antique set-up running or fire-up that brand new rig. Use
any modem or computer or combination thereof. Meet and greet others
without time limits. Have a short exchange or a rag-chew - whatever
suits you. Participation is voluntary. No log necessary. No awards -
just satisfaction. Help others find joy in RTTY by operating for the
first time, or the thousandth time.
Get your set-up running smoothly and help others to reverse inversion.
Just get on the air to say 'howdy' -or- 'hello' -or-'WELCOME TO RTTY'
PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE NEWS. TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.
'I'LL SEE YOU ON THE AIR FOR:'
RTTY WELCOME DAY - 01 JANUARY 2009 - ALL DAY LONG

73 - de Phil - N8PS, RTTY Welcome Day Cheerleader"

S2, BANGLADESH (Update/IOTA Op Delayed Again!)
David, EB7DX, informs
OPDX that the St. Martin's Island (AS-127), Bangladesh operation that
was delayed in early December and was expected to be active at the end
of December, will be delayed again "due to some unavoidable circumstance".
The St. Martin's Island, Teknaf, Bangladesh, operation will now take
place between January 16-22nd. The callsign will be S21DX. The six main
operators will be: S21RC (Fazlay Rabby), S21AM (Manjurul Haque), S21DM
(DM Hemayet), S21S (Sohel Awrangzeb), S21RO (Rasedul Islam) and S21SA
(Sayra Shahlin, YL). QSL Manager will be EB7DX (www.eb7dx.com). For more
details and updates, visit their Web page at:

S2, BANGLADESH
Yoon, 6K2AVL, in HL-land, informs OPDX that some members
of the Korea DX Club will be active from Dhaka in the People's Republic
of Bangladesh between March 7-12th. Operators mentioned are: Kim/6K5YPW,
Kang/DS2AGH, Lee/DS2BGV, Kim/ HL3QP, Choi/HL5FUA and Yoon/6K2AVL. Yoon
states that they hope to get their callsign next month from the Bangladesh
Telecommunication Regulatory Commission. They plan to operate on 160-10
meters, CW, SSB and the digital modes, using three amplifiers, verticals
and beams. Suggested frequencies are:CW - 1822/1824, 3515, 7015, 10115, 14015, 18075, 21015, 24895 and 28015SSB - 3795, 7095, 14195, 18130, 21295, 24950 and 28460Digi - 14082, 21082 and 28100 kHz
Their main purpose for the Bangladesh DXpediton is to provide enough
chances to have a QSO with Bangladesh for all DXers who need it. They
hope it will be a good chance for Asia and Europe stations to work them
on all bands. Also, they will do their best to work both North and South
American stations within workable band conditions. QSLs are via HL5FUA.
For more details, updates and their logs, please visit the following
Web page at:

SPECIAL CANADIAN PREFIXES
Look for Canadian amateurs to use the following
special prefixes between January 1st and February 28th to celebrate the
400th anniversary of Galileo using of optical instruments to inspect the
universe. Also, please note that this year is the International Year of
Astronomy (IYA). Some Canadian amateurs will exchange their prefixes as
follows:

The following are announced operations using the special prefix callsigns
for the IYA:CG3OIJ - Operator Darin, VE3OIJ; on 80m-70cm (WW Loc. FN25EJ). QSL via
VE3OIJ, by the Bureau, eQSL or direct to: P. Darin Cowan,
674 Southmore Dr. W, Ottawa, ON K1V 7A1, Canada.), orCG9NC - Paul, VE9NC, from Hampton, New Brunswick; mainly on 20 meters
on the Digital modes. QSL via VE9NC.

SV5, DODECANESE
Members of the Greek DXpedition DX PLUS Team are expected
to activate the rocky Levitha Islet (EU-001, GIOTA DKS-050, MIA MGD-019,
WLOTA LH-0846) in the South Aegean Sea for about 10 days between June
8-14th. They plan to use the special callsign SX5LA. QSL via SV1GRM. More
details will be forthcoming as they get closer to the activation date. To
see a picture of the islet, go to:

T8, PALAU (OC-009)
Several sources are reporting that Hide, JM1LJS, will
be active as T80W between December 28th and January 5th. Activity will
be on 80-6 meters using CW and SSB during his spare time. QSL via his
home callsign. Visit his Web page to see pages of the T80 Rental Shack
at:

TT8, CHAD
Sylvain, F6CIS, active as TT8SK, is expected to be on the air
possibly for 6 months to 3 years. He is only active during his spare time.
QSNs show activity has been between 1830-1930z on 40 or 20 meters SSB.
QSL via F5OZF.

VP2M, MONTSERRAT
Operators Mike/W1USN, Scott/W1SSR and Bob/AA1M will be
operating from Montserrat between February 25th and March 7th. They plan
to operate CW, SSB and PSK31. Their callsigns have not been assigned as
of this date. They are looking to get VP2MPR (W1USN) and VP2MPL (AA1M),
if not, VP2M/homecall. QSL via their CBA.

VP8, FALKLAND ISLANDS (Update/YL Op!)
Just a reminder that an inter-
national group of YLs will activate the Falkland Islands (SA-002) between
January 17-31st. Each operator will be signing with the callsign "VP8YL*",
where the third letter of the suffix will be assigned to each YL operator
at beginning of the operation. YL operators mentioned at present include:
Janet/VP8AIB, Chantal/PA3GQG, Unni/LA6RHA, Jeanie/WA6UVF, Mio/JR3MVF,
Liz/M0ACL, Victoria/SV2KBS, Nicky/M5YLO and Ruth/IT9ESZ. The activity
will be mainly on SSB, on all bands, but only 20 hours every day. QSL
via operator's home callsign. Look for more information to become available
at:

VP9,BERMUDA
Kurt, W6PH, will be active as VP9/W6PH again for the 2009
ARRL DX CW Contest (February 21-22nd) as a Single-Op/All-Band/Low-Power
entry. QSL direct to his home callsign W6PH.

YE1, INDONESIA
Members of the Bekasi DX Contest Club (YE1ZAT) will be
active during the CQ 160-Meter CW Contest (January 24-25th) as a Multi-
Op entry, the CQWW WPX RTTY Contest (February 14-15th) as a Multi-Single
entry and the CQ WW WPX SSB Contest (March 28-29th) as a Multi-Single
entry. Operators mentioned are Joz/YD1JZ, Danu/YD1GCL, Terry/YC1KAF,
Yon/YB1CCF, Arif/YE1AA and Heri/YB1KAR. QSL via YE1ZAT, by the Bureau,
e-QSL or direct via info on (QRZ.com).

ZD8, ASCENSION ISLAND (AF-003)
Six members of the Cambridge University
Wireless Society will active as ZD8UW between January 2-9th. Activity
will be on the HF bands using CW and SSB. Operators mentioned are: Hugo/
M0HSW, Tom/M0TJH, Simon/G4EAG, Michael/G7VJR, Gordon/G3USR and Martin/
G3ZAY. QSL via G7VJR. The logs will be uploaded to LoTW.

** IMPORTANT NOTICE/REMINDER **

The Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin now has a new
FAX number.

Contributors can now send/fax their DX information to the
following number:

1-419-828-7791 ( F A X only! )

SPECIAL NOTE BY EDITOR:

If you are having a problem receiving bounced
mail by sending mail to me via " kb8nw@barf80.nshore.org ",